QMI Agency

Robert Venette, a biologist with the U.S. department of agriculture forest service, told Fox 9 the invasive and deadly bug that usually goes dormant in the winter starts to die at about -29 C. Once the temperature hits -34 C, 90% of the larvae will die.

But a Canadian researcher says there's only a 50% die-off when temperatures reach -30 C, and recent temperatures haven't hit that level.

Southern Ontario temperatures have hovered around -20 C, said Barry Lyons, research scientist with the Canadian Forest Services, and there will be some impact on the bug but not much.

Temperatures have been below -30 C with the wind chill, which he said only affects humans.

Lyons explained the emerald ash borers produce an antifreeze chemical to survive the winter, and produce more in the coldest months. Also, because the bugs are burrowed below the tree bark, the temperature would likely be warmer than air temperature.

Natural Resources Canada said the emerald ash borer was first detected in Windsor, Ont., in 2002. It spread across the province and into Quebec.

The bug, which burrows under the bark of ash trees, has few natural enemies, which has allowed it to thrive. Within six years of arriving in a woodlot, nearly all the trees in that area will be destroyed.